Discipline, Transportation, and More

Each student at Dozier Elementary is responsible for his/her own behavior. Inappropriate behavior will result in consequences deemed suitable to the severity and frequency of misconduct.

Each parent/guardian received a copy of the Code of Student Behavior. The rules, rights, and responsibilities of students, parents, and teachers are contained in its pages. Please refer to it as necessary.

Each teacher has his/her own set of classroom rules and consequences. The rules are necessary for an orderly classroom environment. Consequences for breaking the rules are clear, fair, and aimed at helping students learn to make better choices. Consequences for classroom rules violations may include but are not limited to the following:

Verbal warning

One-on-one conference

Time out or loss of privileges

Counseling

Parent contact

Parent conference

After-school detention

Office Referral

The student will be referred to the office when the teacher's classroom discipline plan has been exhausted, has been proven ineffective, or the offense is severe. An office referral may be given for any offense listed in the Montgomery Public Schools Code of Student Behavior including bus misbehavior. Receiving an office referral may result in the following consequences:

□ Counseling

□ Call to parent for immediate conference

□ Parents may be asked to attend school with their child for a certain length of time

□ Work Detail after school

□ Out-of-school suspension for one to three days.

*Confiscated items (toys, electronics, phones, etc.) will be stored in the office vault marked with the child's name. Parents must come to the office to collect confiscated items.

The administrator may apply a greater or lesser consequence, as deemed appropriate by the severity or frequency of the offense. Restitution will be required if applicable.

When behavior is out of control on the bus, parents will be asked to find alternative transportation for their children.

Student behavior that interferes with the rights of teachers to teach and students to learn is unacceptable.

Book Bags

Please make every effort to keep book bags as small as possible.

Bullying

All forms of bullying are unacceptable and, to the extent that such actions are disruptive to the educational process of the school, offenders shall be subject to appropriate staff intervention, which will result in administrative discipline. Students who report that they have been bullied will receive an immediate investigation, and corrective action shall be taken when a complaint is verified.

Standards of student conduct will be maintained and consequences for misconduct will insure school and classroom rules are followed. Rules will be adhered to by each student. If you have any questions about our system of discipline, please refer to the MPS Code of Student Behavior. This document is given to each student on the first day of school.

Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student(s) or staff member by way of any technological tool, such as sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs),

The Student Harassment Prevention Act can be found starting at Section 16-28B-1 of the Alabama Code.

Bus Riders

Students who use school transportation are expected to follow the bus rules outlined in the MPS Code of Student Behavior. The MPS Transportation Department is committed to ensuring the safety of each student. Riding in a MPS transportation vehicle is a privilege offered to students who reside within the district. All students being transported are under the authority of the bus driver and must obey his or her requests. Procedures and safety rules help ensure the safety and protection of each student. Failure to follow the safety rules and procedures may result in student conflicts or injuries and may also cause delays or distractions to the driver. Additional information regarding bus transportation is found in the MPS Code of Student Behavior.

Child Abuse

Any teacher, administrator, or school professional acting in an official capacity who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to, or adversely affected by physical, mental, or emotional abuse/neglect will, by law, will report such to officials.

County Procedures and Policies

If you have questions about our expectations, policies, or procedures, please refer to the Montgomery Public Schools Code of Student Behavior.

The Montgomery County Board of Education operates under the following policy: “No person shall be denied employment, be excluded from, participate in, or denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination in any program or activity on the basis of disability, sex, race, religion, national origin, color or age.”

Communication Between School and Home

Parent Involvement and Responsibilities

Education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school. All parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s education through PTA, volunteering, and regular communication with the school.

Notification of Child’s Transportation Home

Changes in transportation can be confusing to your child. For any change in the way your child will get home, please send a note to the teacher or call the office as early in the day as possible. Please include a phone number where a parent can be reached if clarification is needed. If the teacher or the office does not receive official notification of a change either by note or phone, the student will go home as usual.

Notification of Change of Address or Telephone Number

Parents must notify the school regarding any change of address or telephone number. Parents should also notify the school with changes in phone numbers of alternative emergency contact persons. Should an emergency arise, the school needs to be able to contact the parent or other persons listed as emergency contacts immediately.

The school system uses School Messenger, an emergency notification and communication system for our students. It is imperative that you keep the school notified immediately of any changes in your address, phone number, or other important informational changes during the school year. In order for you to receive these emergency notifications we need current information. It is vital that the office has up-to-date information in case of emergencies.

Tuesday Folder

Every Tuesday you will receive a yellow folder from your child’s teacher. The Tuesday Folder is a critical communication instrument between school and home. In the folder you will find information from your child’s teacher, the school, the district and the community. Parents are asked to carefully read the contents of each Tuesday Folder, make necessary responses, sign the folder and return it to the teacher by the next school day (Wednesday). Kindergarten and First Grade students will have an Everyday Folder.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Dozier Elementary encourages conferences between parents and teachers. Conferences may be requested at any time by parents or teachers. If you wish to talk to a teacher regarding your child’s progress or conduct, please call the school 260-1012 and ask the secretary to place a request in the teacher’s box.. Please do not drop in and expect a teacher to stop and conference with you about your child. This is especially true during instructional time and in the mornings before the morning bell. If you work and cannot come for a conference, please send the teacher a note stating the reason for the conference and ask the teacher to call you.

Texting and calling educator cell phones are not approved communication methods unless it is for emergency purposes that have been approved by the principal.

Questions/Concerns

Any question or concern should first be addressed to the teacher or individual involved. The Dozier Principal can be contacted any time to answer questions and/or clear up any concerns.

Student Progress

Students will receive report cards every nine weeks, a progress report midway through the nine weeks, and signed papers every 2 weeks.